Scott Hanko
Sika Deer
The Vietnamese Sika Deer (Cervus nippon pseudaxis) is one of the many subspecies of the Sika Deer. It is one of the smaller subspecies, due to the tropical environment they live in. They were previously found in northern Vietnam and possibly southwestern China, but have now become extinct in the wild. There are plans for reintroducing this subspecies in the future.
The Sika deer is one of the few deer species that does not lose its spots upon reaching maturity. Spot patterns vary with region. The mainland subspecies have larger and more obvious spots, in contrast to the Taiwanese and Japanese subspecies, whose spots are nearly invisible. Many introduced populations are from Japan and thus also lack significant spots.
The color of the fur ranges from mahogany to black, and white individuals are also known. During winter the coat becomes darker and shaggier and the spots less prominent, and a mane forms on the back of the males' necks. They are medium sized herbivores, 50–95 centimetres (20–37 in) tall at the shoulder and weighing 30–70 kilograms (66–150 lb). Males are noticeably larger than females. All Sikas are compact and dainty-legged with short, trim, wedge-shaped heads and a boisterous disposition. When alarmed, they will often display a distinctive flared rump, much like the American Elk.
Sika stags have stout, upright antlers with an extra buttress up from the brow tine and a very thick wall. A forward-facing intermediate tine breaks the line to the top, which is usually forked. Occasionally sika antlers develop some palmation (flat areas). Females carry a pair of distinctive black bumps on the forehead. Antlers can range from 28 to 45 centimetres (11 to 18 in) to more than 80 centimetres (30 in) depending on the subspecies. Stags also have a distinctive mane during the rut.
The sika deer can be active throughout the day, though in areas with heavy human disturbance they tend to be nocturnal. Seasonal migration is known to occur in mountainous areas such as Japan, with winter ranges being up to 700 metres (2,300 ft) lower than summer ranges. Lifestyles vary between individuals, with some occurring alone while others are found in single-sex groups. Large herds will gather in autumn and winter. The Sika Deer is a highly vocal species, with over 10 individual sounds ranging from soft whistles to loud screams.
Sika males are territorial and keep harems of females during the rut, which peaks from early September through October but may last well into the winter months. Territory size varies with type of habitat and size of the buck; strong, prime bucks may hold up to 2 hectares (5 acres). Territories are marked with a series of shallow pits or scrapes, into which the males urinate and from which emanates a strong, musky odor. Fights between rival males are sometimes fierce and long, and may even be fatal.
Wild Animal Park Escondido Ca.
Sika Deer
The Vietnamese Sika Deer (Cervus nippon pseudaxis) is one of the many subspecies of the Sika Deer. It is one of the smaller subspecies, due to the tropical environment they live in. They were previously found in northern Vietnam and possibly southwestern China, but have now become extinct in the wild. There are plans for reintroducing this subspecies in the future.
The Sika deer is one of the few deer species that does not lose its spots upon reaching maturity. Spot patterns vary with region. The mainland subspecies have larger and more obvious spots, in contrast to the Taiwanese and Japanese subspecies, whose spots are nearly invisible. Many introduced populations are from Japan and thus also lack significant spots.
The color of the fur ranges from mahogany to black, and white individuals are also known. During winter the coat becomes darker and shaggier and the spots less prominent, and a mane forms on the back of the males' necks. They are medium sized herbivores, 50–95 centimetres (20–37 in) tall at the shoulder and weighing 30–70 kilograms (66–150 lb). Males are noticeably larger than females. All Sikas are compact and dainty-legged with short, trim, wedge-shaped heads and a boisterous disposition. When alarmed, they will often display a distinctive flared rump, much like the American Elk.
Sika stags have stout, upright antlers with an extra buttress up from the brow tine and a very thick wall. A forward-facing intermediate tine breaks the line to the top, which is usually forked. Occasionally sika antlers develop some palmation (flat areas). Females carry a pair of distinctive black bumps on the forehead. Antlers can range from 28 to 45 centimetres (11 to 18 in) to more than 80 centimetres (30 in) depending on the subspecies. Stags also have a distinctive mane during the rut.
The sika deer can be active throughout the day, though in areas with heavy human disturbance they tend to be nocturnal. Seasonal migration is known to occur in mountainous areas such as Japan, with winter ranges being up to 700 metres (2,300 ft) lower than summer ranges. Lifestyles vary between individuals, with some occurring alone while others are found in single-sex groups. Large herds will gather in autumn and winter. The Sika Deer is a highly vocal species, with over 10 individual sounds ranging from soft whistles to loud screams.
Sika males are territorial and keep harems of females during the rut, which peaks from early September through October but may last well into the winter months. Territory size varies with type of habitat and size of the buck; strong, prime bucks may hold up to 2 hectares (5 acres). Territories are marked with a series of shallow pits or scrapes, into which the males urinate and from which emanates a strong, musky odor. Fights between rival males are sometimes fierce and long, and may even be fatal.
Wild Animal Park Escondido Ca.